Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance clears key hurdle for satellite internet in India, leaving Elon Musk behind

In a race to launch satellite services in India with Elon Musk, billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s Jio Platforms has won approval from the Indian space regulator to operate satellites in the country, according to media reports.

Ambani’s Jio cleared a major hurdle as its joint venture of the company with Luxembourg-based SES to operate satellites and provide gigabit fiber internet.

Orbit Connect India got the approvals in April and June from the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) which will enable it to operate satellites above India and provide satellite-based high-speed internet access.

However, Ambani’s Reliance Industries, which owns India’s largest telecoms network with just over half of the nation’s 924mn wireless and wired broadband subscribers is awaiting more approvals to begin the operations.

India’s biggest telecom owners Mukesh Ambani and Sunil Bharti Mittal are set to launch satellite internet services as they challenge Elon Musk’s efforts to establish Starlink in the country.

Elon Musk's Starlink and Amazon.com's Kuiper, have applied as well and are waiting for the go-ahead.

Earlier, Musk’s SpaceX, the owner of Starlink was turned down necessary approvals by local authorities. Musk has been trying to establish Starlink for more than three years now. He was even slammed by authorities in 2021 for signing up customers without procuring the proper licences.

Meanwhile, Bharti Mittal’s company is ahead in the race as it has obtained all the necessary approvals and can launch as soon as the new government allocates satellite spectrum.

According to data released by Deloitte, India's satellite broadband service market is expected to grow 36% per year over the next five years and reach $1.9 billion by 2030.